Tuesday, April 1---Day 1 Philadelphia to Amsterdam
Our travel agent always provides transportation from her agency to the airport. Because the bus was coming from a nearby town and had to go right past our development, we walked across the street and 3 houses away to get on board. Nine of the 17 traveling together were picked up here.

We were supposed to leave at 2:15, but the bus arrived early. We were on our way by 2:00 o'clock. We went to the travel agency to meet and pick up the rest of our group.

Once we arrived at the airport, our travel agent rounded up 2 porters who made arrangements for us to check in without standing in a long line. We were booked on US Airways.

I went through security first so that I could grab both my stuff and Paul's. His knee replacement gets him hauled off for a shake-down every time we fly. I was left with 2 carry-ons, coats, shoes, etc. and not enough hands to manage. I asked a TSA agent that was gathering bins if there was someone who could help me. He was really nice, took Paul's stuff and delivered it to him where he was being screened. Then it was off to the gate to wait for our plane.

I found out that my frequent flyer number had not been recorded as did a number of other people in our group. We all had given our numbers to our travel agent and know that she gave them to US Airways. There was no one from US Airways at the gate. There was a customer service desk nearby.

What a mess! When I got in the considerable line, there was 1 agent talking to one man. He was there for 15 minutes. My friends who were about 6 ahead of me in line got taken care of. Next was couple who were at the desk for at least 20 minutes, at which point I said the h*** with this and left.

When I left, the US Airways employee was yelling at the couple. I decided that maybe, just maybe there might be someone at the gate by now. There was. At first he couldn't find my frequent flyer number, then I realized that we had moved and had a different zip code than the one he was using. (I don't have an actual card, which is another story for another time). At this point I think the problem is taken care of.

Our flight was on a B767. We were very surprised to find the seats in economy class upholstered in leather. The seat configuration is 2—3—2. Our travel agent had made sure that we were all in the 2 seat rows. It was an uneventful flight and relatively comfortable.

Wednesday, April 2—Day 2 Amsterdam
Cloudy, rainy and cold

We arrived at the Viking Spirit by 9:30 AM because of the early flight arrival. We walked on board to check in and were told to just have a seat in the lounge. Rooms and check-in would not be available until 3:00 o'clock.

The rest of the day until 3:00 was spent in the ship's lounge waiting to be checked in or walking around the ship to stretch our legs. We also watched our bags sitting on an outside deck in the rain. Nothing was wet so it must have been better protected than we thought. Being allowed on board to roam around and being fed before checking in would never happen on a large cruise line!

We also had a chance to talk to some people that had been on the same cruise the previous week who were waiting for their transportation to the airport. They told us they had had snow that week.

From 11 AM to 3 PM an Embarkation Buffet was put out for everyone waiting to check in. It was good with some interesting choices. The soup was mustard soup and surprisingly good There was some kind of a hot dish with potatoes and sausage that was also very good. In addition, the was a small selection of open faced sandwiches and a number of very good salads. Dessert was semolina fruit pudding with vanilla sauce. This was a little different, but Paul and I liked it.

By now all everyone wanted to do was take a shower, brush their teeth and take a nap, especially the people that had flown in from California that day. Before we left home, we were told because of our ages we should take a 1 ½ hour nap—no more—then go to bed early on the new time.

We were still not checked-in, and it was about 3:00 o'clock. Our travel agent went to the front desk and was told that we would be called by cabin number and the "girls" would show us to our cabins. Because they were not on board yet check-in could not be started.

At 3:00 o'clock, people started disappearing from the lounge. When we walked into the reception area to see what was going on, they were checking people in; and they were not calling people by cabin number. Very confusing. We checked in, and I told the girl who checked us in that their check-in was very confusing. She asked to see our passports, and we were escorted to our room by one of the "girls" and shown the various amenities.

In my jet lagged state, I realized I could not find my passport and thought I'd lost it. We just about turned the room upside down. Then Paul realized he didn't have his either. He had the mission of going back down to reception to see if anyone had turned them in. I didn't go because I was afraid I'd lose my temper. We didn't have them because they were never given back to us. They are kept for the first 3 days to check information. That was never mentioned when we checked in.

We finally got our showers, and Paul, the list maker, discovered that he'd forgotten his toothbrush.

The ship offered Tea Time from 3:30-4:15. There was also a Jet Lag Buster with Peter, our Program Director, which was a short orientation walk into the city. We did neither because we did take a 1 ½ hour nap. It really helped.

At 6:00 there was an Embarkation and Safety briefing given by Raul, the Hotel Manager. Peter gave us an overview of our trip. While both of these presentations were made, I was sipping a glass of sparkling wine and Paul was sipping a glass of wine.

Our travel agent had gone ahead to the dining room to see if she could arrange for all of us to sit together. They were not able to do this as the largest table seats only 8 and there is only one in the entire dining room. We ended up at a table for 4 with our next door neighbors. Since they are very close friends that was fine. Tables are not assigned so we had different table mates from our group every meal.

We had a delicious, nicely prepared 4 course dinner. Paul and I each had another glass of wine with dinner. One of our group had her 85th birthday today. Our travel agent made sure that she had cake and everyone around her joined the dining room staff in singing "Happy Birthday." Later our travel agent came around to each table and asked if we liked Grand Marnier. Everyone did. She bought this for everyone in our group especially to toast the "birthday girl." Her toast was one that her deceased husband, who also was a travel agent, had always made.

After dinner was the Captain's Reception. The captain and all department heads were introduced. When we arrived in the lounge sparkling wine, kir royale, and orange juice were being offered. A little later they came around with a tray of 1 bite sized spoons filled with strawberry or peach mousse and shot glasses filled with strawberry or peach juice topped with yogurt. Paul had the strawberry, and our next door neighbor had peach. They both said it was very good. I didn't have anything as I'd had plenty to eat and drink.

Paul made a stop at the desk to see if he could buy a toothbrush—the literature they give indicates that such things are available. He was told that they didn't have any.

Our doctor had given us a prescription for Ambien to fight jet lag, but of course , you cannot drink when you take it. As it turned out the nap, the wine and Grand Marnier did the trick. We both slept very soundly and well, and had fewer jet lag symptoms than we've ever had.

Thursday, April 3—Day 3 Amsterdam
Rainy, cloudy, then sunny, cool

It's raining. We have been told that it has been raining in the morning and then clearing and sunny in the afternoon.

Our first tour through Viking was this morning. It started with a bus tour of Amsterdam; then to a glass roofed boat tour in the canals. This was a great way to get an overview of Amsterdam especially with the excellent guide provided by Viking. The glass roof is important because you really do need to look up to see the architectural details.

Houses are intentionally built to learn slightly forward. At the top of each house, there is an arm with a hook. It was originally used around the 16th century to get spices, coffee and tea to the upper levels to preserve them. Later and still in the present day, they were (are) used to get furniture into the house because most houses are very narrow and the steps are very steep and narrow. Most houses are very narrow and deep because taxes were based on the front width of the house. A wide house was a sign of wealth; although, they still have the hooks.

We passed Bicycle Island while on the boat and later on the bus. Just imagine the largest parking garage you have ever seen with 3 decks and a tower. Then imagine it completely full of bicycles. Our guide said one time he parked his bike there and went away for a few days. When he returned he couldn't remember where it was, and it took forever to find it.

Riding a bicycle rather than driving a car apparently provides some tax advantages. Getting a drivers license costs $2000 (dollars not Euros)! We were told that most people have 2 bicycles, one for leaving at places like Bicycle Island and another for pleasurable outings.

From the glass roofed boat, we had more bus tour on the way to the Van Gogh Museum. The Dutch pronounce it either Van Goff or with an unpronounceable first G, if you do not speak Dutch, then the f sound for the gh. We only had an hour which was plenty for me, but others would have liked to have stayed longer. When we left there was a huge crowd and a number of schools waiting to get in. After the Van Gogh Museum, it was back to the boat for lunch in the main dining room.

After lunch Paul and I took a long meandering walk looking for a place to buy a toothbrush. We didn't find one. Our walk was longer than we intended because we got somewhat disoriented. We were not particularly concerned because we had been told that walking in the area of our boat was safe, but we did need to watch out for pickpockets.

I never carried a purse during the whole trip. My winter coat is reversible and one side has lots of big pockets. I wore them on the inside and managed very well

As we were walking away from the ship, we meet our neighbors heading back to the ship. They told us that the red light district was right behind the church we were standing in front of, and that it was an interesting street in addition to the district being there.

We ended up in Chinatown and had to walk back through the red light district to get back to the Central Station area and our boat. Across from Amsterdam University, I said, "Oh look at this nice can…dy store. Oh!." There was a beautiful display of cannibus lollipops and other "goodies." We did learn that a "coffee shop" was where you could have a "space cake" (marijuana laced brownies). If you did, you could "walk in and fly out." We didn't try any; although some of our group did later in the trip.

The dinner theme was a Dutch Dinner. The food was good, but the service was very poor. They seemed really understaffed.

Entertainment tonight was the Liars Club and was a lot more fun than we thought it would be.

Another stop at the front desk before heading to bed yielded a toothbrush this time.

Friday, April 4—Day 4 Horn and Volendam
Cloudy and cold

Overnight we moved to Hoorn and were anchored there this morning when we got up. We had a 2 hour walking tour with Lanika who was one of the best guides we had. We were lucky enough to have her on another day as well.

Hoorn is a well preserved, beautiful and charming town, except for the drivers, who are crazy. The streets and sidewalks are all cobblestone and sometimes it was hard to tell where the sidewalk ended and the street began. I almost got mowed down by a scooter because I thought I was walking in the center square, but I was in the street.

After the tour, we walked through town ourselves. This is a very historic harbor town and there are many very beautiful masted schooners with most still in use.

During lunch we left Hoorn and sailed to Volendam. While in transit we had a presentation about how wooden shoes are made. There was some interesting information, but it was mostly a sales pitch to go to "their farm with the ladies."

We've both seen plenty of farms and thought it sounded more like a retail operation than a farm. We were correct from what people that went told us.

We had about 2 ½ hours on our own in Volendam. We walked with Peter, our Program Director, with a small group into the center of town. He stopped at a food stand so that we could taste herring. Only a few of us did, and I later seriously regretted it. Fortunately, Paul did not have any.

We had been told that traditional Dutch dress was still worn in Volendam. It is, but only on holidays. Volendam is primarily a tourist shopping destination. The main street was shop after shop, restaurant after restaurant.

I did find some nice gifts to bring home after a really weird experience. I picked out some postcards and went to pay for them. The guy behind the counter was really scruffy looking. The smallest thing I had was a 10 Euro bill. After I handed it to him, he asked if I had anything smaller (in Dutch), but the meaning was clear. I said "nay". He then proceeded to look in his cash register drawer several times and under the tray in the cash register. He grudgingly gave me an enormous pile of coins.

Our next stop was at a shop that had a very nice selection of dolls for our granddaughter and some lovely scarves with tulips for our daughter and future daughter-in-law. When I was paying for them I told the very nice clerk about the coins. She offered help me sort them out and give me paper Euros for as much as she could. She counted everything out and said they were glad to have the change because if they went to the bank for change, they were charged a fee. After we got the money taken care of, she wrapped everything in pretty blue and white paper so they really did look like gifts.

After we finished shopping we walked through a more residential area which was attractive, but didn't hold a candle to Hoorn.

When we headed back to the boat we noticed that another river cruiser was right next to ours—inches away. The main entrance to that boat was check to jowl with our cabin window. They needed to walk through our boat's reception area to get to the dock.

Volendam was a real disappointment.

Dinner tonight was okay and the service was much better than last night.

Saturday, April 5—Day 5 Arnheim, Paleis Het Loo and Nijmegen
Raining hard and cold

We docked in Arnheim. The day started with a bus brief tour of the city.

This was a miserable day in more ways than the weather. The bus ride to Paleis Het Loo, the former Dutch Royal residence, was awful. The bus was too hot and every one was complaining. I took off my coat, fortunately; got dizzy; passed out and lost my breakfast. It was very embarrassing.

Several other people said that they had also felt ill. I've never had a problem with motion sickness so I don't think that was what caused the problem. Apparently it is a common problem though because each seat had an "air sick bag" tucked into it (which was very difficult to open in a hurry).

Because it was raining so hard the guide told us she would take us inside first. She then proceeded to take us to the gardens in the pouring rain. She was, even under the best of circumstance, a mediocre guide. We did finally go inside. Paul and I went through several rooms that were very musty, and smelly. I had to leave. I told Paul to go ahead and finish walking through, but he came with me instead. I'd cleaned up as best I could, but all I wanted to do was go back to the ship, get out of my clothes, take a shower and crawl in bed.
Remembering the herring in Volendam the day before, I was pretty sure that was what had made me sick. As far as we know no one else had a problem. I've never done anything that dumb before.

Our cabin attendant came while Paul was at lunch and made sure my clothes got to the on-board laundry even though I had not filled out a form. She was very sweet and very concerned about me.

We were not sure whether it was norovirus or the herring, so Paul called the Hotel Manager as requested in the paper work in our cabin. He actually spoke with the Assistant Hotel Manager. He told Paul that they would not quarantine me because they rarely had a problem with norovirus. It wouldn't have mattered because I was not well enough to leave the cabin anyway.

Paul brought me peppermint tea, bread and butter for the next day and half. All I could manage to eat was a few bites of dry bread.

The Hotel Manager called our cabin and said they didn't usually do it, but they would fix some bland food for me. Paul thanked him and declined because I wouldn't have been able to eat it.

I have no recollection of the rest of the day after lunch, nor do I know what Paul did. He tells me he sat in Peter's office area and read. I know that we had decided before I got sick that there really wasn't that much that we wanted to see in Arnheim. Some of the World War II veterans arranged a private tour to the military cemetery.

After dinner there was a Dutch Folkloric show. Dutch traditional dress was explained, then they did some folk dances in their wooden shoes. I had really wanted to see this, but was too sick to even think about it. I did get to see it on Paul's video.

Sunday, April 6—Day 6 Dordrecht
I'm told it was windy and cold. I spent the day sleeping.

During the night, we had what is called a technical stop in Nijmegen. This has to do with the number of hours the crew may work, and loading the ship with food, etc. From their we sailed to Dordrecht

The shore excursion was to the Kinderjik Windmills. They are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are the old traditional windmills. Everyone said it was interesting, but very windy and cold. I remember being there with my parents on a trip to the Netherlands 54 years ago.

Apparently, Jerry meet them as they returned playing "As the Saints go Marching in" on his trumpet.
The dinner theme for the night was a Belgian dinner, which I had been looking forward to. I had bread and tea instead.

After dinner the Dutch game of Sjoelen was played. No one from our group attended.

Monday, April 7—Day 7 Brussels and Antwerp
Sunny, windy and cold.

We docked in Antwerp, Belgium. Almost everyone took the bus tour to Brussels. I had really wanted to go especially since it was Paul's birthday. I thought that would be a really neat place to be on your birthday.

We didn't go, however, because I was afraid of what might happen on the bus ride. I was feeling better, but not great. I encouraged Paul to go to Brussels with the group, but he elected to stay behind.

After lunch, the ship called a taxi for us and told us where we could get a cab to come back to the boat.

We started our walk in Antwerp in the Groote Markt. We started our walk back towards Central Station after a few wrong turns, and some unintended side trips. We walked down a very lovely pedestrian only (that means bicycles are allowed too) shopping area. We'd planned to go to the Diamond Museum, but it was closed for renovations. We'd also planned to go to the Ruebens Haus but managed to walk by where we needed to turn. It was just too far to retrace our steps.

We were able to find a cab at Central Station to get back to our boat.

This time we were the ones that had to walk through a French river boat. From our cabin we could see right into the cabins. They were very small compared to ours with one side of the bed flush against the wall.

Getting out in the fresh air and walking made me feel better, but I was still very cautious about what I ate for several days.

We encountered the Hotel Manager when we got back on the ship, and in our discussion I told him I was the one who was so sick. He said that they had been very worried about me. Just as I said I thought it was probably food poisoning, the Executive Chef walked by. Raul said, if it was from the ship you needed to tell the chef. I said, "Oh no, not from here," and told him about Volendam.

Our travel agent made sure that Paul had a birthday cake after dinner tonight. Of course, all of the waiters and the Maitre 'd sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Everyone around us joined in.

After dinner was a big Viking sales pitch. A complimentary liqueur and some type of food, we were not sure what, was served. We'd had plenty eat in the dining room so declined. The sales pitch got to be pretty funny because someone had managed to insert pictures over most of the bulleted points. Peter was getting more and more annoyed and just rushed through the whole thing.

The next day was to be a very early day.

Sue